Game apparatus with adjustable columns of indicia



J. A. LINO 3,336,739

GAME APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE COLUMNS OF INDICIA June 4, 1968 Filed April 8, 1965 fmQlfu av/v4???) llii O 6 M H .7

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BY flatf United States Patent 3,386,739 GAME APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE COLUMNS 0F INDICIA Joseph A. Lino, St. Petersburg, Fla., assignor to Brogy, Inc, St. Petershurg, Fla., a corporation of Florida Filed Apr. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 446,540 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-135) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game apparatus which has strips of indicia which may be adjusted by players prior to the determination of some of those indicia which shall be used to select the winner of the game, said strips being contained in a housing having a movable cover, said apparatus comprising means for preventing movement of the strips subsequent to the adjustment by locking said cover or by signal means which will alert other players in the event that the cover is moved.

This invention relates to improvements in game apparatus of the Bingo type.

The principal object of the invention is to alter the fundamental character of the game so that the element of skill predominates over the element of chance.

Heretofore Bingo type games have provided no opportunity for the exercise of judgment, understanding of the laws of probability, or superior intelligence, to affect the likelihood of winning, since a random selection of called numbers to correspond with the random selection of numbers found on the particular players Bingo card involves only the element of luck or chance.

This invention provides means for a restricted choice by the player as to the numbers which will appear in the playing zone on his board, and the location of such numbers on the board with relation to the other numbers shown. The rules of the game may be established so that such element of choice will be accorded the players only at the initially called number, or during the calling of the first few numbers, or at some other stage in the sequence of called numbers.

An object is to provide means for locking rows of numbers in positions selected by a player, to prevent his subsequent re-arrangement of positions without detection by his opponents.

Other objects will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings by one skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment.

FIGURE 2 shows a cross section of said preferred embodiment.

FIGURE 3 is a face view of an alternative embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a cross section view of said alternative embodiment.

Referring specifically to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the game comprises frame 1, in which are fitted rigid strips 2 upon which are marked series of random numerals as shown. For convenience in playing, each strip is colored distinctively from other strips. The preferred embodiment provides a sequence of blue, red, orange, green, and yellow strips. Also for convenience, the random numerals on each strip are restricted so that no two strips will ever have the same numerals. For example, the blue strip might have random numerals between 1 and the red strip numerals between 16 and 30, and so on.

It is obvious that these strips may be positioned in either vertical or horizontal positions.

Each strip 2 is placed parallel to the other strips, and is ice so proportioned relative to the frame and to the adjacent strips as to permit the longitudinal adjustment of each strip relative to adjacent strips.

A cover 3 may be provided to delineate the playing zone, and it may be made of a transparent material, or provided with holes to permit observation by the eye of the player of the numerals shown beneath said cover, said cover being so proportioned as to expose to the players view only as many numerals on each strip as there are exposed strips.

In the preferred embodiment said cover 3 is fastened to frame 1 by hinges 4 and latch 5, The cover 3 has on its upper surface depressions 6 in which may be placed markers 7 to indicate to the player which numerals have been called.

Each strip preferably has a transverse groove 8 cut below its surface on the top and bottom of each numeral. Projections 9 are provided on the lower surface of cover 3 adapted to fit into said grooves 8, and to prevent the movement of said strips when the cover is placed in closed position.

A bell or light or other signaling device may be provided which will indicate when the cover is raised, to prevent unauthorized raising of the cover at certain phases of the game. Similarly, a magnetic, mechanical or electrical lock may be provided which would enable the operator or caller of the game to positively prevent an individual player from opening the cover of his frame for adjustment of his strips at unauthorized times.

The preferred embodiment has five strips, with seven random numerals on each strip. Clearance areas are provided in frame 1 for movement of each strip 2 above and below the playing zone exposed by the cover 3 to enable any of said numerals on any strip to be exposed by longitudinal adjustment of the strips 2 in the clearance area.

Cover 3 could of course be eliminated if other means for locking the strips from unauthorized movement were provided.

Frame 1 should be provided with holes 10 through which numerals above or below the playing zone outlined by cover 3 can be seen.

Another, alternate arrangement is shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, in which is shown a frame 15 in which are rotatably mounted a parallel series of members 16 hearing rows of random numerals. Each of said members comprises an endless belt of flexible material, guided and mounted on rollers 17 adjacent to opposite extremities of frame 15. Each set of parallel rollers is mounted on an axle 18 which is supported by frame 15.

As in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the frame 15 may be equipped with a movable cover 19, and suitable means for locking the rows of random numerals in various positions relative to adjacent rows. The obvious advantage of the flexible belt construction is the provision to each player of a greater opportunity to match his arrangement of random numerals with those called."

In the operation of the game a caller selects numerals at random from a cage or hopper, and calls out the numerals selected.

This invention enables each player to adjust any row of numerals relative to the four corners of the playing zone exposed by the cover in an effort to place the initially called numerals in a position where he will have the greatest likelihood of obtaining the pattern of called numbers which is required to win.

It is conventional for callers to establish during a playing session various rules or patterns necessary to win. For example, in addition to the most conventional straight horizontal, vertical or diagonal pattern of called numbers, it is usual to make winning dependent on large diamond,

3 small diamond, postage stamp, and other configurations, well known to Bingo players.

This invention provides an opportunity for skillful players to consistently win over unskillful ones, by proper adjustment of each row when the first two or three numerals are called. The frames are locked with the rows in these adjusted positions after a predetermined number of numerals are called, and the game thereafter proceeds as in conventional Bingo.

I claim:

1. Game apparatus for playing a game of the Bingo type comprising a frame supporting a series of parallel longitudinally adjustable strips each marked with a column of indicia, said columns providing a plurality of rows, means including a movable cover to enclose said strips and to prevent access to said strips except when said cover is open, said cover having transparent areas for exposing a number of said rows equal to the number of exposed indicia in each row.

2. Game apparatus as described in claim 1 including 20 strip adjustment prevention means comprising a series of n depressions in said strips and a series of projections on the lower side of said cover adapted to register with and fit into said depressions when the cover is closed.

3. Game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a signal device actuated by opening movement of said cover to provide perceptible indication of the opening of said cover.

4. Game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means by which said cover may be locked from a location remote from said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 303,802 8/1884 Bowen 273-135 2,610,855 9/1952 Spiller 273-135 3,004,357 10/1961 Tojza et al. 273-435 X 3,023,004 2/1962 Pitts 273-430 3,116,928 1/1964 Wilde 273134 X 3,120,657 2/1964 Hooker 273135 X DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner. 

